11-Day Legends and Archaeological Treasures in Bulgaria

See All Photos

In the morning, visit the National Museum of History. The building itself has a historical significance; it is here that the transition period began after the resignation of the communist leader Todor Zhivkov. You'll visit Boyana Church, a UNESCO site nearby, then continue to Veliko Turnovo. This is the medieval capital city of Bulgaria, where you can take a panoramic walking tour of the old part of Veliko Turnovo with Gurko Street and Samovodska Charshia – the old marketplace.

See All Photos

In the morning visit Tsarevets Royal Hill and the medieval fortress. Then, transfer to the Ivanovo rock-hewn churches. Continue to Basarbovo to visit the monastery of St. Dimitar Basarbovski – the only active cave monastery in modern Bulgaria. Arrive early evening in Ruse – the largest Bulgarian Danubian city, once important Roman port known as Sexaginta Prista. Check in at your hotel and have dinner at a restaurant overlooking Danube bank.

See All Photos

Leave for the Sboryanovo Archaeological Reserve, protecting rare creations of nature and the greatest concentration of archaeological sites in the country. The most notable of them belong to the culture of the Thracians, as well as important sites from the Prehistoric, Roman and Medieval periods. The most famous of them is the Sveshtari Thracian tomb. In the afternoon, visit the Madara site, located not far from Shumen. Continue to Varna – the largest Bulgarian city on the Black Sea coast.

See All Photos

This day dedicated to Varna and its suburbs. You'll visit the archaeology museum to see Varna's necropolis, the oldest golden treasure in the world, dating to 5,000 BC, the public baths of Odessos and the largest Roman bath complex on the Balkan Peninsula –spreading on an area of 7000 m2– among the baths of Karakala and Diocletian in Rome and Trevira in Germany. Late in the afternoon, you will visit Aladja Rock Monastery, located not far from Varna to end the day.

See All Photos

We will visit continue south along the Black Sea coast to Nessebur town. Visit the local archaeology museum and one of the medieval churches. According to Strabo, the town was named Messambria after the legendary founder, a Thracian Melsa and the Thracian name for city “bria”. Stop in Stara Zagora to visit the Neolithic Dwellings Museum and the town centre with the Roman forum. Continue to Kazanluk – the centre of the Valley of Roses, known as well as the Valley of the Thracian kings.

See All Photos

In the morning, visit the regional museum of Kazanluk to learn about the many discoveries in the Valley of the Thracian kings. There are over 14 mounds within proximity of the town, some of which are cultural monuments of world importance. Head out to the suburbs of Kazanluk to Ostrusha Thracian tomb and Goliama Kosmatka. You'll have some free time for lunch. Then, in the afternoon visit Kazanluk Thracian tomb before heading to the village of Karanovo to visit the Karanovo mound.

See All Photos

In the morning, visit the rose distillery not far from Kazanluk and taste rose jam and rose rakia. Once 75% of the world's rose oil was produced here. Then, continue to Plovdiv - the second largest city in Bulgaria, once the capital city of Philip the 2nd of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. Visit the Trakart Exhibit of Roman Mosaics, the Roman Stadium, the Old Plovdiv Architectural reserve with the National Revival Houses complex and the Ancient Amphitheatre to discover its history.

See All Photos

In the morning visit the Assenova Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery – the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, built in the 11th century and connected with the history of the Third Crusade. You'll have free time for lunch before continuing to Brestovitsa village to visit a boutique wine cellar and taste some local wines. Upon return to Plovdiv, walk around Kapana – the artistic neighbourhood of Plovdiv before dinner.

See All Photos

Today, you'll leave Plovdiv and travel back to Sofia. On the way, you'll visit the impressive Rila Monastery, a UNESCO site. Rising at 1147 metres above sea level, it lies amidst some of the most scenic recesses of the Rila Mountains, to which the monastery owes its name. It is the largest monastery on the Balkans, with a total built-up area of 32,000 square metres, and is the most imposing architectural monument of the Bulgarian Revival. Later, you'll proceed to Sofia for your final night.